HOmes on Beach for Sale

Bryn's breath hitched as he kissed her - it was the most gentle and awesomely best first kiss ever. She reached up and lightly touched his cheek as she pulled away. She didn't want it to be to long or awkward, but to short wouldn't work either.

The length of time was perfect, at least to her. She hoped it was the same for him. Smiling, Bryn searched his big baby blue eyes for reassurance.

Tristan smiled at Bryn after she pulled away. He knew she was just as shy as he was, both wanting to be sure the other was comfortable with what just occurred.

The blush came from nowhere, well probably from her over analyzing things... "Tristan..." She stopped right there as her finger rested on the small divot on his chin. Bryn didn't want to spoil the mood.

No words at the moment seemed right. But silence did not seem right either. Given she had been alright with one kiss, maybe two would be alright as well.

And Bryn was definitely okay with the second kiss - to the point that she really didn't realize that her arm had made it's way up around Tristan's neck. This kiss was longer and now she would stop analyzing and just enjoy.

She was kissing the boy she was so crushing on.

Not wanting to be too forward, Tristan let Bryn draw the line on their kiss. Though he did get caught up in the action. He really liked her; it was only natural that he would get caught up in kissing her.

Bryn pulled back back from the kiss, but she couldn't help with the few extra light kisses. Then the over analytical engaged once again. "Sorry, sorry... was that over the top?" Yup, the blush meter came back too.

"No." Tristan shook his head with soft smile. "Perfect."

"Perfect, yes." Bryn rested her forehead on his and then touched nose to nose. Even though her skin was flushed she couldn't help it before she moved to rest her head on his shoulder again.

Her next question may have been to forward in her mind - but then again - it could have been a way to strike up a conversation.

"What do you think of the term 'soulmate'?" Bryn focused on the stars above and the mix of sounds from the ocean and the CD player.

Tristan considered his answer for a moment before responding. "I like the idea. That out there is someone who is perfect for you. That you fit together in life like puzzle pieces."

Bryn smiled as she leaned back into Tristan. "I'm a big fan of puzzles." In the moment, she reflected over the evening; and a whole lot hadn't felt right in her life up to this point, but this did.

"Soulmate to me is more than just what is found in this lifetime - it expands over several lives." The moment that came out of her mouth, Bryn felt like a fool. Not everyone believed in her methodology of life.

With that Bryn pulled her shoulders closer together hoping that Tristan didn't think she was kookoo for cocoa puffs.

Tristan could tell from her movements that she felt odd about her last statement. "I'm not sure I believe in past lives. But if a human can shift into different animals, there is no reason why a person cannot live more than one life."

Shifting just a bit, Bryn still kept herself introverted, but a particular question was nagging at her..."How did you get this gift and your sister didn't?"

She wanted him to know that she was so completely okay with his shifting but in the same breath was completely mesmerized by the idea. "If you don't want to share, it's okay. I get that."

"I honestly do not know." His fingertips rubbed little circles on her arm. "I am glad for her. It can be wonderful. But you keep that part of yourself private, unless you trust someone."

In the same motion, Bryn's heart swelled and a smile broke out over her face. He trusted her. And the feeling was mutual.

As much as she like the comfy position she was in with Tristan's arm around her - making the ticklish circles on her arm - she wanted to do something, but... she wasn't sure if Tristan was up for it since it was cresting the midnight hour.

"Um..." Her finger made a figure eight pattern on his jeans just above his knee; "...If you aren't tired, would you like to go for a midnight stroll on the beach?"

"Yes, I would like that." Tristan stood up, holding his hand out for her to take.

Bryn followed suit and stood up, capturing his hand in hers. She lead the way through the apartment, stopping long enough to pick up her house key.

Once the door was shut behind them, she turned and smiled to Tristan. "It doesn't have to be a long walk, but there is something about walking at night on the beach - it's soothing." And mysterious too.

Tristan kept her hand within his as they moved along. "We can walk as long as you want to."

She smiled as they exited the apartment building. Without hesitation, Bryn kicked off her shoes and left them on the stoop. She was sure that they would still be there when they got back.

Looking up to Tristan out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but smile. "Can't do flip-flops in the soft sand. Plus I like the feel between my toes." The moment her feet hit the sand, Bryn let out a small sigh.

"I understand." Tristan smiled over at Bryn. With her hand still in his, he gently rubbed his thumb over her skin.

In an automatic response, Bryn followed his motions. The sand was cool on her feet and she gave out a small shudder. There were so many sounds around her - the waves crashing, the laughter of people strolling along and off in the distance the sounds of the pier.

However in the moment, she was content with the comfortable quietness between them.

Tristan was quiet by nature, so he enjoyed the comfortable silence they shared.

Eventually he broke it. "I spend a lot of time running on the beach."

His voice broke their comfortable silence and she smiled. The next question came out before she could stop it. "As human or something else?" Thankfully it was dark enough that he couldn't see her blush.

"Both." Tristan smiled over at her. "No one ever gives a second thought to the dog running down the beach."

She smiled over to him - there was just enough moonlight to shine across his face - she caught his smile. "I know I'll be taking a double look from now on."